Page 131 of Moon Claimed

Pascal joined me, along with the head team—barring Valerie.

“Is it true? The south team brought real guns onto the grid?” Roderick said.

I glanced at the guilty culprits who lingered, heads bowed for the most part. Their ringleader was nowhere to be seen.

“Rhona has gone too far. Her actions will lose us the game if unchecked. Her views on violence have gained momentum and need to be addressed to the entire tribe. I will do so tonight and need your full support on that front.”

They were torn between shock and anger as I was, but every one of them nodded.

Rhona’s actions were a slap for the tribe, yes. It was a larger slap to the head team, not only me. We’d banned her from meetings, and she’d retaliated in a horrific manner.

“Valerie was involved and is no longer part of the head team,” I stated. “That is my decision and it is final. We cannot be seen to condone such behaviour on any level, particularly not in our leading positions.”

No one made a peep, though Nathan’s eyes shot to the guilty group.

“Are there any thoughts on how best to convey this to the tribe?” I asked next.

Stanley rubbed his jaw. “They’ll feel as shocked as we do. Rhona’s violence and your forfeit will certainly create a divide. People will feel they need to pick a Thana. We should take steps to lessen that impact.”

“What do you suggest?”

“We have two weeks off Grids,” he said. “Let’s use that time to hold mandatory events to encourage team spirit and boost morale.”

“Great idea.” I mulled that over. “Okay, I need four of you to escort the group over there to the manor. The rest of us will brainstorm events on the drive back. I’d like to announce the first event tonight to provide everyone with positive focus.”

“Where’s Rhona now?” Trixie asked.

“She’s done a runner. After the tribe is brought up to speed, we’ll send a search party out. The Luthers could look for blood after this.”

Part of me wouldn’t blame them.

But even now, when she’d done something so heinous, I couldn’t let anyone hurt Rhona. It just wasn’t an option.

Not ever.

21

“There’s a brewery in town,” I said to Wade. “How about that?”

“Eh,” Wade replied from where he sprawled on my bed.

Cameron thumped her head against the back of the sofa. “Why does he get a King Wade Day anyway?”

“Because I’m awesome. I want adventureanddrinking.”

I threw him a dry look. “Because that never led to disaster.”

He grinned.

Cameron said, “Let’s go river tubing Laos style.”

I sat next to her. “What’s Laos style?”

“Drinking while we do it.”

“As someone who nearly drowned in the river while sober, I vote for drinkingafter.” I’d have to fake drinking somehow, but I faked being human every day now. Fake drinking would be a breeze.

Wade hummed. “This would be an acceptable plan to King Wade.”